No Place Like Home -- karen wight

Lighting is perhaps the single-most overlooked element in our homes. Yet

it is the most important component we can use to set the mood and

highlight special focus areas.

Inadequate overhead lighting is one of my pet peeves, but today I’m going

to focus on mood lighting, the kind of lighting that lets everyone know a

special occasion is at hand.

Candles, votives, luminarias and strings of lights should be holiday

staples in every home. No matter the holiday, any dinner is more special

by candlelight.

Choose unscented candles for the dinner table as nothing should compete

with the smells coming from the kitchen. A single pair of candlesticks

surrounded by fruits and nuts is simple and striking. I love to use those

small red and green pears from the grocery store.

I also stock up on walnuts. I spray them with gold paint. You can’t eat

them after you do this, but it is an easy way to dress up the table.

Pomegranates and small citrus fruits are great for this purpose as well,

and they keep for several days.

Create the mood in other areas as well. Light a votive in the powder

room. Choose a candle that burns for several hours so you don’t have to

worry about wax spilling over. My favorite votive candles are Votivo and

are available in many specialty stores around town.

Urban Gardener in Westcliff Court has several testers lit all day, every

day. This, if nothing else, will inspire you to light candles just to get

the fabulous fragrance.

If you are having a party, line the path to your front door with

luminaries set on the ground or small votive candles placed in garden

stakes. This inspires a festive atmosphere before your guests step inside

the door. Start a fire in your fireplace, no matter what you are

celebrating; flickering light from the fire enhances everything.

Now, outside lighting. This community is the perfect blend of geography

and inspiration. We have a beautiful harbor, magnificent homes and

communities that come together during the holidays to celebrate their

blessings. Many of these communities are visual joys to behold and their

outdoor lighting reflects this mood and celebratory spirit.

Take a peek as you drive down Dover or take advantage of the public path

that winds around the Castaways development. The light display is

awesome. It reminds me of the original “Home Alone” movie with the great

decorations and light extravaganza. It’s a shame that everyone can’t

enjoy this effort, but it’s worth a venture to get a glance.

An another light phenomenon of a more public kind is the Snoopy House on

Santa Ana Avenue on the East Side of Costa Mesa. What began in years past

as a yard display has mushroomed into a something-for-everyone experience

that every child (and adult) familiar with the Peanuts characters will

appreciate.

Fashion Island, with its mesmerizing outdoor beauty, has always been on

my list of favorites. Bundle up the kids and delight in the prolific

decorations, lights, train rides, food and lots of ways to spend money.

And while you’re out, Roger’s Gardens, with its white lights, train

display and beautiful decorations, is always a great place to go for a

feel-good fix.

Of course, the annual Boat Parade always lights up the season. If you’re

not lucky enough to enjoy this spectacular from a warm home (with a

fireplace roaring and plenty of candles burning, of course) with a great

view, there are plenty of viewing opportunities from the waterfront

restaurants or public parks with a view of the harbor.

There are several streets in our communities that take extra effort on

Christmas Eve to light luminarias. These brown paper bags, anchored with

sand and a votive candle, are a simple way to make a big statement. There

is something about that community coordination that makes my heart sing.

In my neighborhood, there is a tremendous California sycamore tree that

must be at least 100 years old. The owners wrap the tree trunks in white

lights for the holidays. What a lovely gift they give to the entire

street. We enjoy its beauty every evening.

Another neighbor spelled out “CIF” in white lights on their roof the year

Newport Harbor High’s football team won the championship (their son was

quite a star that year). We love our prep sports, so this was a special

reminder of the joy and pride we shared with them.

After all, no matter where you live, what your religion, or your family

background, the holiday season is about hope, inspiration and

thankfulness. Let’s begin at home.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident who owned Wight House Design

for 10 years. Her column runs Saturdays.

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